Seven bodies were recovered Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Hacienda Filomena, Barangay Binabag, Bogo City, Cebu after massive boulders rolled down from the hills during a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on Sept. 30.
Rescue teams said the victims were buried when large rocks crashed into their homes. Images and videos from the scene showed houses nearly destroyed, with collapsed walls and roofs. In one case, a giant boulder landed inside a resident’s home, leaving rescuers with limited options to retrieve bodies trapped underneath.
Among the fatalities were three members of a single family, first pulled out by responders from the Argao Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). Hours later, four more victims were found in nearby houses, bringing the total to seven in the area.
The tremor, which struck Tuesday, has left widespread destruction across Cebu province. Local officials confirmed that as of Thursday morning, Oct. 2, the overall death toll had risen to 72. Authorities expect the number to climb as search and rescue operations continue in hard-hit communities.
Rescue teams remain on-site, navigating blocked roads and unstable terrain. Heavy equipment has been deployed to help clear debris and move large boulders that flattened homes. Families in affected barangays were forced to evacuate, with many seeking shelter in temporary evacuation centers.
Officials have not released the full list of casualties, but they confirmed that recovery and relief efforts will continue over the coming days.
The earthquake is among the deadliest to hit Cebu in recent years, with residents and local authorities facing the grim task of accounting for the missing while aiding survivors.
